mongrel
2 synonyms and 0 antonyms for mongrel, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A dog (or other creature) of mixed or uncertain breed.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use mongrel
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Neutral for dogs, but can be an insult if used to describe a person’s ancestry — avoid that usage.
Etymology
From Middle English mongrel, built from "mong" (a mixture, related to "among") plus a diminutive ending that originally carried a negative tone.
Full origin of mongrel →Frequently asked questions
What does “mongrel” mean?
The word “mongrel” means a dog (or other creature) of mixed or uncertain breed. In plain terms, something (usually a dog) that’s a mix of different breeds or types rather than one pure kind.
How do you pronounce “mongrel”?
“Mongrel” is pronounced MUHNG-gruhl (/ˈmɑŋ.ɡɹəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “mongrel” in a sentence?
Here is “mongrel” used in a sentence: “The shelter was full of friendly mongrels looking for homes.”
What part of speech is “mongrel”?
Depending on how it is used, “mongrel” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “mongrel” come from?
The word “mongrel” comes from Middle English. From Middle English mongrel, built from "mong" (a mixture, related to "among") plus a diminutive ending that originally carried a negative tone.
How many meanings does “mongrel” have?
“Mongrel” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a dog (or other creature) of mixed or uncertain breed.